Thursday, January 13, 2011

Modi and Popes of Political Correctness

Hate-Narendra Modi is a fairly accepted and politically correct stance in our times. But the lengths to which our Popes of political correctness take it to, is sometimes baffling.

Take the latest report which says that AP government decided against participating in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit that began in Gandhi Nagar Yesterday. AP officials were to have made two presentations today at the Summit on the business opportunities in the state.

The Summit is being attended by top business leaders and corporate honchos from not only India, but across the world, who endorsed the Gujarat growth story. According to reports, Gujarat got 50 billion dollars of investment at the Summit in flat 50 minutes.

But the Congress governments in various states apparently thought that showcasing the potential of their respective states, somehow, enhances Modi's already larger than life image and diminishes their own secular credentials considerably.

AP too pressed the panic buttons by withdrawing from the Summit at the last minute, following, according to ToI, "the intervention of Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy". Incidentally, ToI itself was uncomfortable with the Summit, which it uncharitably described as "Modi-led BJP affair."

Surprising a media house of ToI's stature should feel that an investors summit in Gujarat should be led by anybody but the government and the Chief Minister of the state!

Equating Modi with the state of Gujarat has become so farcical that earlier Amitabh Bachchan was castigated for being the brand ambassador of Gujarat tourism.

It is as though Gujarat, along with Modi, have become the outcasts for the secular brigade. It is as though Gujarat and its people have committed a sin by repeatedly electing Modi that they deserve every condemnation that comes their way.

The US, which, not unlike our own Shankaracharyas of Secularism, thinks it is the custodian of democracy in third-world countries, earlier refused Modi visa in his capacity as CM. Because of his infamous role in communal riots in the state post-Godhra.

Many well-meaning people have strong antipathy against Modi, which may be justified in the backdrop of the communal politics he practiced. But to be prejudicial and condescending to Gujarat and its people is a travesty of democratic sensibilities.

Instead of finding fault with Gujarat and resorting to fake posturing, secular souls should mull over why Modi is still popular in his state.